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As the Chief Executive of The Society of St James, a homelessness charity based in Hampshire, I welcome the latest report by the Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, which provides a comprehensive and urgent analysis of the current situation and the actions needed to end rough sleeping for good. The report, Turning the…

For over half my life I was an alcoholic, taking prescription and illegal drugs on a regular basis. I have lost too many friends to alcohol and drugs. Thankfully I have never been homeless, and I can’t fully imagine how tough this could be. Discovering yoga has turned my life around, it gave me a…

SSJ is more than just a charity that provides housing and support services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. SSJ is also a champion for people who are suffering from domestic abuse, which is a major cause and consequence of homelessness. Domestic abuse is not just physical violence, but any form…

In this interview we introduce you to George, who started his career with a Society of St James accounts apprenticeship in 2019 before leaving to pursue a role as a trainee accountant in September 2023. We discuss George’s experience as an apprentice, his personal growth, and the invaluable insights he acquired during his time at…

One of our service users had served a 24-month sentence at HMP Winchester and was recalled to prison after failing to cope with his emotional and past issues in the community. He was using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. He moved into the Gosport IOM (Integrated Offender Management) House on July 19th, after being released…

Ben and Wendy have been associated with The Society of St James for a long time. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with them and learn about how SSJ has helped them reach the stable position they are in now.  Ben has struggled with ADHD and diabetes for a long-time. Wendy’s problems started when…

At the Society of St James we see the true cost of alcohol on a daily basis and are therefore extremely supportive of Alcohol Change UK’s campaign. Alcohol Change UK’s theme this year is ‘Alcohol & Cost’ and they have put together a whole host of fact sheets that outline the true costs of Alcohol. We know…

The Society of St James Academy is really starting to take shape ready for the big launch in 2024. Lucy and Rebecca, our newly appointed Academy Leads, have been working hard over the last few months to design a learning pathway that will appear on the new Academy timetable alongside sports & hobbies and volunteering…

Patrick House is the location of one of SSJ’s Intensive Support Hostels and currently residing in one of the 57 rooms in the House in Millbrook is 23-year Jaike, pictured above with his support worker Natasha. Natasha and Jaike at Patrick House Last week I asked Jaike if I could talk with him about the…

In late May, 21 residents from our Integrated Offender Management services will climb Mount Snowdon in Snowdonia National Park.   Integrated Offender Management (IOM) is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and is a partnership approach involving The Society of St James, Hampshire Constabulary and probation.  The service is aimed…